Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-27
Courageous and Significant Attitude of an
Old-Tlme Republican State
Senator
ON THE QUESTION OF THE TARIFF.
A Speech Which VIII Repay Careful Study
There are Figures In 1t That
Will Interest Farmers
Everywhere.


has for eighteen consecutive years repre-.
sented q Republican constituency in the
General Assembly lends significance to his
utterances at this time. Great cities"
said he, ''have ever been the admiration of
mankind. Their grandeur still fascinates
us The uppermOst pride of the people of
theState of Illinois is Chicago. And yet,
historians tell US that great cities have
been the very hOt-beds of vice and crime.
These characteristics still attach to cities,
and it is matter of grave doubt whether
cities alone could perpetuate free institu-
tions or even civilization. 1t is fortunate,
therefore, that one-half our popula-
ton, and more, live in the rural dis
tricts with their village centers. 1t is
essential that this portion of our people
should enjoy prosperity. Otherwise cities
will drain away the more intelligent and
prosperous portion. Rural life ought to be
attractive Here nature displays all her
charms. Here art may come in endless
forms. Every breath of country air is an
inspiration to health. To perpetuate the
best results agriculture must be prosper
Gus; but, unfortunately, agricultural pros
perity is declining. Every farmer before
me, and every storekeeper who deals with
farmers knows that speak the truth. The
evil fruits Of this decline are already made
apparent The lands in my county OF
Bureau have certainly declined in value
more than s. an acre within the last ten
years. This loss, If sustained in the same
proportion throughout the State, will ag-
create $2O0, 600, 900.
'Tue agriculture Of New England, ex-
c-pt in special lines, is in ruins. Go
through the once splendid farming dis
tricls OF Western and Northern New York,
AID You behold
INCREASING DILAPIDATlON.
The farms of Jefferson and st. Lawrence
counties, which were once the pride OF
New York State residents, are not worth as
much rs they were ten years ago. In the
sweep across the States from Kansas 20
Minnesota oUe-hali Of the farms are under
mortgages at high rates of interest. Farm
ers of Illinois, | read in the Chicago Ir1b-
uac of to-day that Oue-half the farms IN
the State of Michigan are under mortgages
at high interest rates. If this condition OF
depreciation continues, many OF these tine
farms will pass into the hands OF abSen-
tees ut the minimum Of cost, and they will
thereafter I've run by sub-renters or owners
who will consent to make themselves
drudges to exc ont a scanty subsistence.
This state of things is not good for the
community. II is demanded by public
interest and patriotism that it shall be
speedily arrested. Some of the causes OF
this decline may be seen and understood
aud the cure may to a certain extent be
indicated Ienumerate the following as
among the
CAUSES FOR THE DECLINE
of the prosperity of agriculture:
81. The worldwide competition, which
reduces the price of our products to the
lowest mark.
, THE combination and trusts into which
most pursuits are entering to enable them
to save to themselves profit measured by
their owl greed
SO The extortiOn in charges and other
wrongs Transportation companies, gram
elevators and stock yards.
81. The adulteratious, shams and shod-
dies in things we buy at rates which
should procure the pure and genuine ar
ticles. =
IS. The high and exceptional rates OF
interest which farmers pay upon thelr
| loans.
"6. The unequal and unjust taxes col
lected from land in proportion to corporate
and personal property.
81. The protective tariff system as 1t
now prevails is benefit to certain classes
at the expense of consumers, and Is really
used largely to protect monopoly. l
might add to this long array, but Will not
on this occasion. Each topic furnishes
ample material for a complete address.
Tonight present but faint glimpse OF
detail Values of agricultural products
have been reduced, owing to settlement
of the public domain in the last 20 years
eoual to the progress of previous settle
mentS for 100 years. The
COMPETITION WHICH WE FARMERS MEET
ia the cheapest of all labor, that of the old
world. India, which is our agricultural
competitor, pays for farm labor Z or :
cents day, and the laborer boards him.
self
"The Standard Oil Company is the larg-
-, and hest known of the combinations or
trusts. 1t has remorselessly crushed out
its rivals, and in brief period been able
TO diyideamopg its incorporators S3OO, OOO,-
| 600 It's great success has been infectious.
A larye number of ir rdustries-and the list
is daily incrsasiug-have adopted Its sys-
tenn of monopoly. One of these industries,
which comes near to your observation aud
interest, is that of lumber. The lumber
interest il organized and in a measure con-
solidated from the pine forests to the local
dealers in cities and villages. Every In
terest in this combination is guaranteed Its
nroGt. The consumer pays q price which
covers their several charges. The effect
has been that lumber has advanced IN
price within brief time from - to d per
| / 600 feet. Salt, starch and barbed wire
are at this very time forming similar COM
binations. 1t is becoming the rule for the
various pursuits to form these comoina-
| tions so as
TO EXCLUDE COMPETITION
in their respective lines of business.
''The railroads are charging 80 as to col
Iect dividends from largely watered stock.
Grain elevators weigh in their millions OF
bushels of grain by their own agent, and
/ it is not surprising that frequently large
surplus remains at the end of the year.
Stock yards charge on their supplies fur
nished to stockmed'1OO and even greater
per cent over wholesale prices, when 10
per cent is ample. On certain classes OF
hogA they include number, as they say
among themselves, to even up the trade.
They call their agent by whom this Is done
the evener.' The owner Of the hogs, less
polite. calls him something else"
After enlarging on the fact that borrowers
in the rural districts pay higher rate Of
Interest than do corporations and property